why does it hurt when i have sex

Pain during sex, also known as dyspareunia, can have many causes ranging from physical to emotional factors. Common physical causes include vaginal dryness often related to insufficient arousal or hormonal changes, infections like yeast or bacterial vaginitis, sexually transmitted diseases, injuries or scars from childbirth or surgery, conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease, as well as pelvic floor dysfunction or muscle spasms (vaginismus). Psychological factors such as stress, fear, anxiety, past sexual trauma, or relationship issues can also contribute to pain during intercourse. Medications that reduce lubrication or affect arousal may be involved as well. The pain can feel like burning, throbbing, aching, or rawness and may last during or after sex. If painful sex occurs, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment, which may involve addressing infections, hormonal therapies, physical therapy, or counseling depending on the cause.